Canuck Week concludes with one of the more recent influential players in team history. He had his number retired this season, and is currently the all-time leading point scorer in team history. However, Markus Naslund was more than just a point scorer. He was a leader, a mentor, and a Pearson Trophy winner in 2003. It didn't seem to be destined that way when he was acquired from Pittsburgh in 1996, when he was considered a throw in for a deal that saw Alek Stojanov go to Pittsburgh. Years later, it is considered one of the most lopsided deals in league history. Naslund's career took off in 2000, when he was named captain of the Canucks. While it wasn't met with much praise from the Vancouver faithful, Naslund would soon prove his worth in not only spearheading the West Coast Express (with linemates Brendan Morrison and Todd Bertuzzi), but also serve as a mentor to the Sedin twins, and the latter would serve all well, as Henrik would go on to win the Art Ross and Hart Trophies last season and be named captain this year, while Daniel aims to match Henrik with both an Art Ross and Hart Trophy of his own.
The current Canucks are closing in on the President's Trophy and are poised to make a long run in the playoffs. It's funny to think that a piece of the groundwork for that run all began with one innocent trade in March of 1996.
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